“We do appreciate the attention to the community concerns that were expressed so that we don’t have to come back and say them all again,” said Joan Barth, the group’s leader.

For goodness sake, even Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission members Robert Reynolds and Steven Rumsey agree on it. Rumsey called it an improvement over previous projects, while Reynolds expressed excitement and said he thought the development would “set the bar.” It’s hard to pass on something those two agree on.

The $42 million mixed-use project, proposed by Atlanta developer Chance Partners, would occupy the most prime piece of property along the Riverwalk. It would include 201 residences with 452 total beds along with 40,000 square feet of retail space in five buildings on 7.6 acres of property.

The property should be one of the cornerstones of the city’s redevelopment. It links the old sections of downtown with the newer riverfront development, including the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and the Riverwalk.

The development brings two elements that downtown and the riverfront need — people and retail shops. Downtown has slowly morphed into a food and entertainment district, and residential properties within it or within walking distance of it have begun to spring up. Retail shops will help create more activity during the day so that it doesn’t become just a night spot and helps make downtown and the riverfront a destination for residents and visitors.

After this important piece of real estate has sat empty for several years, it is encouraging to see progress on the horizon.

<p>It seems as if everyone is glad to see Riverfront Village moving forward on the old Tuscaloosa Chevrolet property at the corner of Jack Warner Parkway and Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa.</p><p>The pro-business Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama backs it, according to Jim Page, the organization's CEO.</p><p>“I certainly want to speak in favor of this development,” Page said. “It's also a higher and better use for that property than what's currently there today.”</p><p>Tuscaloosa Neighborhoods Together, a neighborhood protection organization, thinks the project has merit.</p><p>“We do appreciate the attention to the community concerns that were expressed so that we don't have to come back and say them all again,” said Joan Barth, the group's leader.</p><p>For goodness sake, even Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission members Robert Reynolds and Steven Rumsey agree on it. Rumsey called it an improvement over previous projects, while Reynolds expressed excitement and said he thought the development would “set the bar.” It's hard to pass on something those two agree on.</p><p>The $42 million mixed-use project, proposed by Atlanta developer Chance Partners, would occupy the most prime piece of property along the Riverwalk. It would include 201 residences with 452 total beds along with 40,000 square feet of retail space in five buildings on 7.6 acres of property.</p><p>The property should be one of the cornerstones of the city's redevelopment. It links the old sections of downtown with the newer riverfront development, including the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and the Riverwalk.</p><p>The development brings two elements that downtown and the riverfront need — people and retail shops. Downtown has slowly morphed into a food and entertainment district, and residential properties within it or within walking distance of it have begun to spring up. Retail shops will help create more activity during the day so that it doesn't become just a night spot and helps make downtown and the riverfront a destination for residents and visitors.</p><p>After this important piece of real estate has sat empty for several years, it is encouraging to see progress on the horizon.</p>